Sharks are cartilaginous fish. Sharks have a cartilage skeleton rather than a skeleton made of calcium bones. Sharks also have tooth-like scales called denticles on their skin. Victorian fishers target gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus) and a small amount of School shark (Galeorhinus galeus). Saw shark (Pristiophorus species), elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii), whiskery shark (Furgaleus macki) and dog sharks (Family Squalidae) are also caught.

School and gummy sharks are 'small' sharks averaging less than two meters in length. While school sharks can be found off other countries like South Africa, New Zealand and Chile, gummy sharks are native to Australia's southern coastline. School and gummy sharks live over the continental shelf and slope from shallow estuaries to depths of 400 meters. School sharks often form schools as they make long migrations, passing through Bass Strait.

School and gummy sharks give birth to between (1 to 40) live sharks. Coastal waters are important for both species with these areas used for breeding. Young sharks (pups) are found in the 'nursery' areas along inshore coastlines and bays and inlets.

School and gummy sharks are long lived. Gummy sharks will live to about 16 years of age, while school sharks will live to about 50 years.

School and gummy shark were first sold as flake from the Melbourne Wholesale Fish Market in the late 1920's to serve a booming Fish 'n' Chip trade. During the second world war the supply of cod liver oil, used to supply vitamin A, from the north Atlantic was lost. The discovery of a high vitamin A content in school shark liver created a boom in targeted shark fishing by Victorian based fishers to source this new market. The end of the war coupled with the ability to create vitamin A artificially, lead a large number of fishers to diversify into other areas. This left a small fleet of full time and part time boats to target shark for their flesh and re-supply flake for Victorian fish and chips.

During this early period fishers used long lines to catch sharks. In the 1960s monofilament gill nets were introduced and they have been the dominant fishing method since. In 1972 the discovery of high mercury levels in school sharks led to the ban on the sale of large individuals. This ban was overturned in 1985. Management arrangements for the fishery have been introduced to reduce effort and maintain stock levels.

The majority of shark fishers (112) today use gill nets to catch school and gummy sharks. The mesh size of the net, usually 6 inches (152mm), targets sharks within a certain size range (between 95cm and 120cm) ensuring that larger and smaller sharks are not captured. A small number (35) still use long lines. Boats travel out to fish in Bass Strait. Fishing trips are up to ten days in length. A decreasing number of operators use bottom set long lines.
Management Controls.

Before 1984 the States managed fishing for sharks. A variety of techniques were used to maintain sustainable harvesting levels. These techniques included limits on the number of licenses and participants and restrictions on gear length. After 1984 the Commonwealth managed fishing for sharks. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) now manages the Southern Shark Fishery.

In June 1997 concerns were raised about the increasing level of effort in the fishery. A decision by AFMA suggested the use of Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) as new management method. After a lengthy period of discussion, ITQs came into effect from 1 January 2001. The total allowable quota is 2159 tonnes (head-and-gutted, with fins on).

Size limits of 65cms for both gummy and school sharks apply.

To aid management between States and the Commonwealth a piece of legislation was enacted (passed before parliament) called the Offshore Constitutional Settlement. A recent agreement between Victoria and AFMA means that all gummy and school sharks caught in the Southern Shark Fishery are managed by AFMA. Victoria manages a 40 tonne total allowable catch from inshore coastal waters inside 3 nautical miles (5.5km) includes bays and inlets.
Economic Contribution.

The Southern Shark fishery is the world's oldest surviving commercial shark fishery. While the fishery officially began in 1927 sharks have contributed to the Victorian economy since European settlement of Melbourne.

Sharks have been most popular for their flesh. About 2,190 tonnes of shark is landed from the Southern Shark Fishery. This makes the wholesale value of the fishery worth AU$13.831million. Victorian operators make a big contribution to the fishery landing about x percent of the catch.

Catch levels of gummy shark are sustainable. The proportion of school shark in the total catch is expected to decline as fishers stop targeting this species.